Oz, the question is how much of the available capacity under the bilateral is being used? I belive that capacity is 28 services per week, as QF currently has 21 services and is looking to add the last seven, but is being opposed by Backpackers Express who want five of them. Therefore I presume British airlines can have 28 services per week.

AFAIK BA have 14 & VS is taking seven from November, leaving a nominal 7 weekly available. How likely the UK government is to give them to you, I havent the foggiest.

In regard to Africa, there is NO SUCH PLACE, as far as traffic rights go. There are 20+ countries in Africa and traffic rights belong seperately to each of them. If you wanted rights to say, Chad I'd say your chances are good! If you want the Republic of South Africa, I'd say not so good!

BA actually has 21 flights per week UK-Australia (LHR-BKK-SYD, LHR-SIN-SYD and LHR-SIN-MEL), with VS looking at adding the remaining seven with LHR-HKG-SYD.

QF will have all 28 frequencies by next year. Currently has daily SYD-BKK-LHR, SYD-SIN-LHR and MEL-SIN-LHR. Will add this winter three times weekly SYD-HKG-LHR and PER-SIN-LHR, plus an additional SYD-HKG-LHR early next year.

Not quite FlyCaledonion. QF have applied for the final seven weekly flights but are being opposed by Backpakers Express who want 5 of them. The IASC has issued a draft determination on 9/7/04 that proposes to give them to QF and it is now open for comment until 23/7.

This is an unusal course of action, it seems that the commission has doubts about wether QF have the rights, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, to use the flights (this has legal ramafications which suggest that the flight should not be allocated now if the not going to be operated for 9 months) it suggests rather than says that maybe in 9 months Backpackers will have a creditable case.